Sole-edge protector for boots and shoes.



T. G. PLANT.

SOLE EDGE PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED FBB.19, 1909.

Patented June 11, 1912.

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Zflz'lnesses COLUMBIA PLANDURAPH CO0WASHINGTOIN| D. c.

THOMAS G. PLANT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED SHOEMACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF NEWJERSEY.

SOLE-EDGE PROTECTOR FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs G. PLANT, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Sole-Edge Protectors forBoots and Shoes, of which the following description, in connection withthe accompanying drawing, is a specification, like reference characterson the drawings representing like parts.

This invention aims to provide a novel and improved device forprotecting the edges of the soles of boots and shoes from damage afterthey have been once finished and during the subsequent, and moreparticularly cleaning, operations.

My invention is particularly adapted, though not exclusively, to anembodiment in the form of a shank edge protector, and because of thisespecial adaptability I will for convenience disclose my invention inconnection with such a device, but without limiting my inventionthereto.

In the drawings :Figure l is a view looking upon the bottom of a boot orshoe, showing a shank edge protector illustrating my invention inposition thereon; Fig. 2, is a side view of Fig. 1, showing theprotector in posit-ion; and Fig. 3, a cross sectional detail on thedotted line 33, Fig. 1, showing the manner in which the protector mayengage the shank edges.

Referring to Fig. 3 of the drawing, a portion of the upper of a boot orshoe is indicated at u and the shank portion of the shoe at s, the edgesof the latter projecting as indicated somewhat beyond the upper thoughas a rule not to the extent to which the sole edge projects around theforepart. In the process of making a boot or shoe, and in spite of thegreatest care, the upper may become more or less soiled, particularlywith wax, which must be removed before the shoe is boxed for shipment,and this cleaning is usually the last operation to which the shoe issubjected, in order that when once finished and cleaned no furtherliability will be had for soiling the upper. It is important that thesole edges when once finished or set shall remain undisturbed, but ithas been found that the materials used in 'cleaning the upper,particularly in connection with the rubbing which is required,frequently cause a marring of the edge finish Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed February 19, 1909.

Patented June 11,1912.

Serial No. 478,953.

and a roughing up of the fibers thereof, greatly to the damage of theshoe. The protectoi' herein illustrated as embodying my inventioncomprises opposed shields l adapted to protect or cover the shank edges,and provided respectively with lips 2 to engage the upper corners ofsaid edges to retain the shields in position and also to protect theprojecting margin or extension faces of the shank edges. These shieldsit will be observed are disconnected or discontinuous and in a measureparallel, notwithstanding they are curved horizontally and vertically toconform approximately to the lines of the shank at the edges thereof.

The shields 1 are connected across the bottom of the shank by suitableconnecting means, herein shown in the form of a sheet metal, generallyU-shaped, or spring connec tion 3, preferably, though not necessarily,integral with the shields and which may be given any shape in crosssect-ion that will best promote the separation and closing together ofthe shields to facilitate their application to and removal from theedges of the shank. In the present instance the said connectioncomprises the U-shaped portion 4, the wings of which are connected withthe shields by the curved portions 5, presenting finger engaging lips 6,this formation presenting the highest degree of resiliency with a givenamount of material, although obviously the U-shaped portion might beformed directly to engage the shields without the further curves 5referred to.

The device may be made of celluloid, sheet brass or equivalent orsuitable yielding material, which will permit the edges to be swung orturned out-ward as about a hinge substantially alined therewith andabove the shank to permit the shields to be positioned to embrace theshank edges, after which they will spring together to embrace said edgesas indicated in Fig. 8. While the device is normally given anapproximate curvature to conform to the spring or arch shape or arch ofshank within the range of the device.

After the shank edges have been finished the protector described may bepositioned as shown in the drawing, where it will be retained by its ownresiliency to protect the shank edges from damage during subsequentoperations upon the shoe, and more particularly in the treeing andcleaning thereof.

Claim.

1. A protecting device for boots and shoes comprising discontinuous soleedge shields and means permanently connecting said shields, said meansincluding a part constructed to enable the shields to be moved toward oraway from the edge of the shoe sole as about a longitudinally extendedhinge located materially above the sole bottom.

2. A protecting device for boots and shoes comprising discontinuousshields shaped for engagement with the edge of a shoe sole and an archedconnecting member integral with said shields and having means to enablethe shields to be spread apart for application to or removal from thesole edge and acting normally to spring said shields toward each otherfor engagement with said edge.

3. A sole edge protector for boots and shoes, comprising opposed edgeshields, holding lips thereon and a connecting member for said shieldsprovided with a tube-like crown section along which said connectingmember may be flexed.

4. A sole edge protector for boots and shoes comprising shields shapedto fit over the edge and projecting margin of a shoe sole, said shieldshaving transverse flexing slots formed therethrough, and a sole-bridgingmember connecting said shields.

5. A protecting device for boots and shoes comprising two shields 1shaped to protect opposite edge portion of a shoe sole, lips 2 extendingfrom said shields to protect the projecting margin of the sole, saidshields and lips being curved horizontally and vertically to conformsubstantially to the shapes of said edge portions and havingtransversely extending slots 7 formed therethrough, and a' connectingmember continuous with said shields comprising portions extending towardeach other and an arched member 4 connecting said portions,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, inthe presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS e. PLANT.

vVitnesses ROBERT H. KAMMLER, J. F. McCLosKnY.

Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

